The Library of Congress on Wednesday added "Home Alone," "Apollo 13," "12 Years a Slave" and 22 other movies to the National Film Registry.

Every year around the holidays, the Library of Congress chooses 25 films to be added to the registry to help preserve the nation's film heritage. They're chosen for their "cultural, historic or aesthetic importance."

This year's selections include a "diverse group of films, filmmakers and Hollywood landmarks exploring the drama of history, social justice and reform, the experiences of immigrants and more," with some of the films dating back more than 100 years.

They also include the 1990 Christmas classic "Home Alone," starring Macaulay Culkin, and Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which came out in 1993.

Other films worth noting

Of the 6,875 films the public submitted for consideration, some drew significant support, including “Home Alone” and 1991's “Terminator 2: Judgment Day," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong.

There are iconic Disney movies in the mix, sci-fi flicks and more, bringing the number of films in the registry to 875, some of which have also been added to the two million moving image collection items held in the Library.

On top of films like 2000's "Love & Basketball" and 1985's "Desperately Seeking Susan," also selected were several films "that recognize a diversity of Asian American experiences" said film historian and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Director and President Jacqueline Stewart, who is also chair of the National Film Preservation Board.

Those titles include the film "Cruisin' J-Town," the documentary "Maya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision," and the Bohulano Family Film collection, home movies from the 1950s-1970s shot by a family in Stockton, California's Filipino community.

TCM will host a television special in honor of the films

In celebration of the new additions, Turner Classic Movies will host a television special at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 14 to screen a selection of films named to the registry this year. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden will join Stewart to discuss the films.

The Library of Congress will also hold a holiday screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 6:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 21 and “Home Alone” at 6:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 28. Free timed-entry passes are available here.

Some of the select titles will be available online in the National Screening Room. Follow the conversation on social media at @librarycongress.

The 25 films selected for the National Film Registry

  • A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921)
  • Dinner at Eight (1933)
  • Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s)
  • Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)
  • Lady and the Tramp (1955)
  • Edge of the City (1957)
  • We’re Alive (1974)
  • Cruisin' J-Town (1975)
  • ¡Alambrista! (1977)
  • Passing Through (1977)
  • Fame (1980)
  • Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
  • The Lighted Field (1987)
  • Matewan (1987)
  • Home Alone (1990)
  • Queen of Diamonds (1991)
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  • The Wedding Banquet (1993)
  • Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
  • Apollo 13 (1995)
  • Bamboozled (2000)
  • Love & Basketball (2000)
  • 12 Years a Slave (2013)
  • 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Library’s website. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2024. Cast your vote at loc.gov/film.

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